VOLVO Complaints

I HAVE HAD THE FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS. ALSO THE FRONT BALL JOINTS TWICE (ONCE THROUGH A RECALL). MY TIRES NEED REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT ANY BLAME FOR THE RAPID WEAR OF THE TIRES DESPITE THE CONTINUAL STEERING PROBLEMS. THEY DID REALIGN IT WHEN THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND BUSHINGS IN DEC. OF 01. BUT DID NOT DO SO AGAIN WHEN THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED IN MARCH 02. NOW THEY SAY MY ALIGNMENT IS POOR BECAUSE OF MY UNEVENLY WORN FRONT TIRES.

HERE IS HOW THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTS TO OCCUR. IT STARTS OUT AS AN INTERMITTENT THING AND GRADUALLY PROGRESSES TO EVERY TIME. CAR HAS BEEN OFF FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THE CAR IS STARTED, PLACED IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO STOP THE CAR AND PLACE INTO DRIVE. DURING THE FIRST BRAKING ATTEMPT THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE CAR TO STOP (THE POWER BRAKING SEEMS TO FAIL). THE BRAKES OPERATE NORMALLY AT THE SECOND BRAKING ATTEMPT. THIS PROBLEM PROGRESSES OVER TIME WHERE BRAKING BECOMES SLUGGISH AT ALL BRAKING ATTEMPTS. WHAT HAS PROMPTED ME TO ISSUE THIS COMPLAINT IS MY WIFE ALMOST REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER IN A QUICK STOP SITUATION. VOLVO HAS REPLACED COMPONENTS CENTERED AROUND THE BRAKE VACUUM SYSTEM. THESE ITEMS HAVE INCLUDED THE VACUUM PUMP (TWICE), HOSES, AND A FUSE. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED FOR THIS ISSUE 5 TIMES IN A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS SINCE I MADE MY PURCHASE. DURING THE LAST ATTEMPT TO FIX THE CAR IT WAS IN FOR SERVICE FOR 9 DAYS STRAIGHT (11/11/01-11/20/01). AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING (4/11/02) IT IS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR THIS ISSUE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, SIDEWALL SEPARATED FROM TREAD ON RIGHT REAR TIRE. DEALER CONTACTED MICHELIN, MXV4 TIRE SIZE 195/60R15, DOT FUDA CHYX369 06-51078-01, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FOR A VOLVO, V70 ,2000. *AK *TT

SEAT BELT COMES ACROSS CONSUMER'S NECK WHEN USED, THE CONSUMER IS TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO HAVE THE SEATBELTS ADJUSTED SO THEY ARE NOT DIRECTLY ACROSS THE NECK, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.*AK

CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, THE AXLE SPINDLE DROPPED TO THE ROAD CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK, AS THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE BODY DAMAGE OCCURED.*JB

TIMING BELT FAILED, DEALER REPLACED THE TIMING BELT, DRIVE BELT, CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND HAD TO REBUILD THE CYLINDER HEAD WITH NEW VALVES. *SLC *MJ *DT PH (DAUGHTER LUCY PICARDI ON BEHALF OF MOTHER) *JB *CB

WHILE DRIVING 40 TO 45MPH SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. VEHICLE STARTED FILLING WITH SMOKE, AND CONSUMER SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER DASH. INTERIOR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES BY TIME FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. *JG

COMPANY OWNED VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL COLLISION. THE VEHICLE VEERED ACROSS THE MEDIAN AND OVERTURNED, KILLING DRIVER. INSPECTION OF VEHICLE'S STEERING GEAR BOX REVEALED SPLINES OF WORM GEAR WORN AWAY OR SHEARED GEARS. CRASH REPORT TO FOLLOW. *JG

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED THREE TIMES, DEALERS HAVE CONTINUALLY ADJUSTED RIDE HEIGHT VALVE, ALSO DEALER KEPT TRYING TO CHANGE DRIVELINE ANGLE, THE LEFT REAR U-BOLT BROKE AT 256,000, THE BOLTS WERE RETORQUED REGULARLY, CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE POOR DRIVELINE HAS DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED EXCESS STRAIN ON AXLE PARTS.*YD

CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN LOW RANGE, AND FAILED AT 210,000.*YD